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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

A new quilt top - this one a custom order quilt top - not unlike the quilt previously seen here: Half Rectangle Triangle Quilt ~ many the same fabrics, and the same design, but bigger still.

Quilt tops like this don't get whipped up in a day or two. I have been working on this custom order for a few weeks, setting myself goals and completion dates - like cutting fabrics, then piecing the Half Rectangle Triangle Units, trimming, and finally piecing the quilt top. Breaking down the process into steps makes taking on a custom order more manageable and also allows me to continue working on the weekly projects that are featured here. It also helps to make me feel like I am organized, and not overwhelmed by tasks.

I estimate that there are 150 or so different fabrics and cutting each and everyone of those fabric pieces was the most time consuming of all the different stages of making. Pulling fabric and actually finding what I am looking for, cutting, pressing, re-folding, and returning to stash. Again and again. But it is my favorite part!

I am also working on a second quilt, another quilt just like this one - also a custom order but for a finished quilt, not a quilt top. I am not sure if I am patient enough for repeat custom work, although I am of course grateful for the opportunity.

Many of my favorite fabrics are used in this quilt top, some of which are now hard to find, and I have no hesitation in using them. Use it or lose it, right? No regrets, it is only fabric.

This quilt top has already been shipped and received by a happy new owner.

18 comments:

Such a pretty quilt made from all those delicious fabrics. No surprise you get custom orders. The long HSTs are a great idea. I too admire your patience for all that precise cutting, sewing and trimming. Excellent result!

Beautiful...how I would love to spend a day with you and learn your tricks for such precise piecing. :) And...love your approach..."Many of my favorite fabrics are used in this quilt top, some of which are now hard to find, and I have no hesitation in using them. Use it or lose it, right? No regrets, it is only fabric."So very true. Sometimes the beauty of the fabrics can be paralyzing and one must push through.

Hi Janet - welcome to quilting :-) I found out the hard way that you cannot just make these half rectangle triangle units in the same way that you would make a half SQUARE triangle. If you do, you end up losing all of your points on your triangles.

I have again used my Bloc-Loc Half Rectangle Triangle Rulers for the job of trimming the over-sized units to size, with the diagonal channel hugging the seam allowance for quick/accurate ruler placement. I know I have mentioned and used these rulers before, but they're so easy to use, and such a handy tool to have on hand.

This is so bright and cheery! I was wondering did you pick rainbow colors and then do the low volume fabrics or how did you choose your palate? I like how the brights stand out but don't overwhelm the low volume prints. It also seems like you used a lot of word fabrics. I like those but don't really own any. I have lots of darks but not as many lights or they are too light so they appear solid which would seem to take away from the pretty brights. Sorry, just rambling now... Thinking out loud I guess. :-) Anyway, beautiful quilt. K-

I love these beautiful HRT quilts you've been making, Rita. Just a cool shape to work with, isn't it! You are right: fabric is meant to be used! I catch myself thinking sometimes that I should save the special stuff for some future time when I might have better ideas, more skills, etc. . . . but that's kind of silly :)